Originally published in August 1856 Credit: Scientific American Advertisement “This contrivance externally resembles a watch in size and shape. Within the case is a bell and spring hammer, the latter connected with a fob chain. The supposition is, that the thief will pull the chain in order to obtain the prize. But instead of getting […]
The coronavirus pandemic has provided the world with a quick study in the intricacies of immunology. “Herd immunity” and “serological tests” have become household terms. Front and center among these concepts are antibodies. These immune proteins typically emerge during the second or third week after an infection, glomming onto invaders and preventing them from sneaking […]
I decided to write this essay because I needed something to help process everything that I am seeing and doing as a resident physician working in critical care at a large hospital in Manhattan. I feel that many people don’t have a good sense of what is actually happening in intensive care units with desperately […]
Warmer oceans are putting stress on corals—and causing many of them to turn white, or bleach. But some corals under stress are instead becoming strangely colorful, turning brilliant neon pink, yellow, purple or blue. “They give this very vibrant coloration which really blows you away.” Jörg Wiedenmann heads the University of Southampton’s Coral Reef Laboratory, […]
America is continuing its exodus from coal. Alliant Energy Corp. announced Friday it will close its coal-fired Edgewater power plant outside Sheboygan, Wis., in 2022. A few weeks earlier, Great River Energy said it plans to shut its Coal Creek Station north of Bismarck, N.D., in two years’ time. And in New Mexico, Arizona Public […]
Something peculiar has been happening with President Donald Trump’s popularity. In the early stages of his response to the coronavirus pandemic, Trump’s approval rating soared, reaching a pinnacle not too long after he declared a national emergency. He had never been more popular among Americans, not even when he won the presidential election of 2016. […]
In April Jenny Rappaport sat down to inspect her calendar because she could not tell how many days had passed since New Jersey’s stay-at-home order took effect. Before COVID-19, her life had structure and a pace, and she knew the day of the week without giving it a second thought. The pandemic has changed all […]
Brazil’s researchers have a battle on their hands. The country has the world’s third-highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, with more than 300,000 infections and 20,000 deaths. Scientists there have to fight not only the coronavirus, but also the government’s anti-science stance. President Jair Bolsonaro, who has been photographed shaking hands with supporters in recent […]
Originally published in November 1945 Credit: Scientific American Advertisement “Release of DDT to civilians for general use recently led to a flood of preparations presumably containing this highly effective insecticide but actually too dilute to be useful. Fear is expressed by legitimate insecticide producers that unfortunate experiences with early improper DDT preparations made by unscrupulous […]
We are fighting an unconventional, asymmetric world war against an invisible enemy—a war which could continue for another 18 months. COVID-19, like the 1918 influenza pandemic, could have multiple phases of resurgence. Great American wars have been won through technological innovation. America can and will win this war on COVID-19, and against future pandemics and […]